Abstract
Two arenaviruses were detected in pygmy mice (Mus spp.) by screening 764 small mammals in Ghana. The Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis), the known Lassa virus reservoir, was the dominant indoor rodent species in 4 of 10 sites, and accounted for 27% of all captured rodents. No rodent captured indoors tested positive for an arenavirus.
Highlights
Two arenaviruses were detected in pygmy mice (Mus spp.) by screening 764 small mammals in Ghana
Lassa virus (LASV) has a bisegmented genome: the nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP) genes are on the small RNA segment, and the polymerase (L) and matrix protein (Z) genes are on the large RNA segment
This study aimed to provide data on the risk for Lassa fever in Ghana, a country situated between well-known Lassa fever–endemic regions, but with little known
Summary
Two arenaviruses were detected in pygmy mice (Mus spp.) by screening 764 small mammals in Ghana. Lassa fever is an arenavirus infection transmitted to humans from rodents in a limited geographic region of western Africa. Cases have been reported from other countries in the region, including 1 caused by a previously undescribed strain of Lassa virus (LASV) after the case-patient traveled through Ghana [3]. Infection of humans with an arenavirus other than LASV has recently been recognized in southern Africa [4]. LASV circulates in rodent populations even when infections in humans are not occurring, providing a source for subsequent outbreaks among humans. A village was selected for each site according to 3 criteria: a human population between 500 and 2,000; distance >20 km from any urban center or major road; and willingness to participate. All field work was scheduled during the rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011, when viral prevalence rates in rodents have been shown to be higher [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
